Not Double, Bazillionduple

Kathy Kovach and I right after I received my contract letter

We writers get to make up words, right?

Remember the old saying that a friend divides your sorrow and doubles your joy? I say they bazillionduple it.

I oughta know.

On Thursday, September 23rd, Becky Germany, Editor at Barbour Publishing presented my first book contract in front of roughly 600 people at the American Christian Fiction Writer's Conference. That alone is enough to make a gal burst out of her skin in joy, but added to the mix the well-wishes of friends and family?

My joy bazilliondupled.

It wasn't only the genuine applause of the audience or the Colorado friends who yelled "We love you, Paula!" It wasn't just the 130 "likes" and 83 comments on my Facebook status or the multitude of hugs from friends--old and new--every day following at conference.

It wasn't even the way Becky and the authors at Barbour Publishing welcomed me right in

Barbour Editor Rebecca Germany and I on the Mark Twain

to the family at the author dinner on the riverboat. It was all that, but it was also how so many of those people had been by my side for years, through good times and bad, and how their celebration with me had this vibrant, genuine depth to it.

My journey to novel publication began about ten years ago. Often interrupted by the needs of four children, I  kept plugging along. I began writing devotionals, articles, and blogs. Readers and fellow bloggers encouraged me. In 2004 I joined an on-line prayer team. I came under attack, and the prayer warriors there held me together with prayers and emails. A few years later a small group of writers in my area began meeting regularly to pray, and they became my mainstay. I kept writing and had roughly 300 publication credits to my name, but still no book with a Paula Moldenhauer by line.

Still the community cheered me on. I had several ACFW conferences gifted to me, and Marlene Bagnull of the Colorado Christian Writer's Conference took me under her wing, encouraging me and seeing that I made it to CCWC. Friends and family in other walks of life also watched my journey and urged me forward. My husband never faltered in his belief in me and my writing. When times got tough he never asked me to stop and get a "real" job. He kept believing in me and mopped me off the floor when the rejection letters came.

Then my little prayer group in Denver started praying with me about a "coming storm." In 2007 Author Brandilyn Collins prayed for me at an ACFW conference and told me I would need to learn to live in the Strong Tower. I had already sensed my husband would go through difficulties in this predicted storm, but Brandilyn believed my children were also going to face struggles. She committed to praying for my kids daily--and prayed for our family for several years. In my personal prayer time the LORD told me to "circle the wagons" as a family in preparation for what was coming.

Then, wonder of wonders, I got an agent! The talented Rachelle Gardner believed in me, and we prepared to pitch one of my non-fiction books.

Right after this exciting experience, about three years ago, the LORD asked me to lay aside my pursuit of book publication. I let Rachelle know I couldn't submit. You probably know the story from here. First all four of my children entered Anna's House for special treatment for visual processing issues as well as other struggles that held them back. It was a very demanding time and I spent many extra hours doing exercises with them, adding tutoring to our already busy homeschool schedule, and driving them to appointments. Then my precious husband almost died of a serious heart issue. A couple of weeks later Stephen broke an arm, then Sam broke his collar bone. After that my oldest son, Seth, had two major hip surgeries and spent 10 months in rehab, losing the opportunity to play competitive hockey his senior year. Sarah spent a year curled in a ball in pain until we fianlly discovered treatment for undiagnosed food allergies. Hubby had to have knee surgery. Two children graduated with all of those joys and demands of helping them step into their next stage of life. Finances crumbled and we almost lost our home. And . . . I could add to this list, but I'll stop there.

Through all of this, my friends stood by me. They prayed for my family and me. They walked next to me. My Denver prayer team never seemed to tire of my need for them, and the on-line prayer partners God sent my way remained committed and steady.

Then, the storm gradually began to clear. I asked the LORD if I could join some friends in writing a proposal for a couple of novella projects. He gave me permission and I tentatively stretched fingers to the keyboard and learned to play with story again. Life continued to find a more stable place. This September I told my husband I felt we'd stepped into a new season.

Then I went to the ACFW Conference.

It was Thursday afternoon, the opening ceremony, and the MC, Brandilyn Collins, said Barbour Publishing was going to offer a brand new author a first time contract. Rebecca Germany walked to the stage and explained that the contract had been kept a careful secret. She then said the contract was for a novella for a Christmas collection. She didn't announce the author or the name of the novella, but my heart pounded in my ears. I knew I had two proposals in for a Christmas novella, and that neither had yet received a rejection letter. Then Becky began to name off the other authors in the collection: Darlene Franklin . . . Paige Winship Dooly . . . at that point I looked to my best buddy, Kathy, who was seated next to me. She looked at me. The third name was Kathleen E. Kovach. She grabbed me and we were engulfed in this huge hug when Rebecca finally said, "The contract is for You're a Charmer, Mr. Grinch, by Paula Moldenhauer."

My face burned hot, the red flooding it comprised of joy, excitement, and a  flush of embarrassment

with Rachelle Gardner, agent extraordinaire

 as 600 people stared at me, clapping, as I made my way to the stage. My hug to Becky was accompanied by breathless exclamation of wonder. Trembling I returned to my seat, clutching the letter that promised a book contract. In the back corner a group of ACFW Colorado friends yelled, "We love you, Paula!" I further embarrassed myself by bursting out in front of the whole world, "I love you, too!" as I waved to them.

Editors and writers hugged me as I made my way through the room. As I reached my seat, my agent rushed to me with her congratulations. She'd kept the pending contract a secret for three months so I could have this moment. I texted my family and prayer warriors at home with the news and posted a fb status from my phone,
then tried (somewhat unsuccessfully) to concentrate on the rest of the ceremonies.

Jan Warren and I at the banquet

My face stayed red for at least an hour.

It was glorious.

But it only got better because of all those who shared my joy. It's no coincidence that one of my longest time prayer warrior's, Jan Warren, whose insight had broken strongholds and whose unending support of my family often held me together, "happened" to be seated at my table. It's no coincidence that Rose McCauley, another long-time friend and prayer warrior who had won the same contract the year before, had

prayed (along with Connie Stevens)

Rose McCauley, Me, Connie Stevens

for a year for "whoever" got the next contract at the ACFW Conference. It's no coincidence that throughout the weekend friends from the prayer loop stopped to hug me, ask about the family, and genuinely celebrate. They'd prayed me into that moment.

This triumph doesn't belong only to me. It's not simply MY first book contract. It is a step forward brought about by the triumph of others and their prayers. It is their victory.

And in sharing the victory my joy has bazilliondupled.